Apparatus for producing artificial filaments



May 4, 1948.

w. A. s|ssoN ETAL V 2,440,761 APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS Filed July 1, 1946 2 heets-Sheet 1 i R m4. 4 W

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y 1948- W. A. SISSQN ETAL 0, 6

API 'ARATUS FOR PRODUCING ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS Filed July 1, 1946 2 Sheets-Shet 2 VIIIII'I) 00000000 w 3.5- INVENTORS.

WAYNE A. slssolv BY WESLEY L.- WEBB lulose content, sodium hydroxide content,

portion as shown in Figure 8a. Where the pump speeds are more nearly equal, a cross-section of filament similar to Figure 8b is obtained, while if the pump associated with pipe I is operated at considerably lower volumetric output than that associated with pipe 6, the filament structure of Figure 8c is obtained. The cross-section can also be controlled by selection of spinning materials. For example, in the case of two viscoses, if the intermediate rapidly in setting up, than the outer viscose, the cross-section of Figure a reversal of shrinkage characteristics results in the cross-section of Figure 80. Again, control can be efiected by altering both pump speeds and viscose shrinkage characteristics. Although viscose shrinks more- 8a is obtained, whereas kind of spinning-substance the boundaries between the components of the filaments are shown distinctly in the drawing,

there may be some intermingling of the different components on either side of the boundaries.

The extrusion device of this invention may be used for wet or dry spinning or for spinning molten materials, The two spinning materials may be solutions which may contain the same filament-forming substance in solution but differ in the kind of solvent or the concentratio of the filament-forming substance. The spinning materials may be polymeric substances which differ in their degree of polymerization or degradation; in the case of cellulose'orits derivatives, the two solutions can be produced from celluloses of different origin, for example one from cotton linters and 'the'other from wood pulp. In the case of spinning solutions which undergo a, ripening process, such as viscose, differences'of degree of ripeness may be thesole difierence or one of several differences (which may include also celcarbon disulfide content) between the spinning solutions. The two spinning materials may comprise the same or different spinning substances, but differ in that one of the two contains incorporated therein, either suspended therein or dispersed therein, such as by true or colloidal solution or by emulsification, atleast one substance which is not of itself a filament-forming substance. Alternatively, both spinning materials, can contain one or more of such additions in difierent concentrations. Such additions can be solid, liquid or gaseous, for example pigments, ,roughening agents, softening agents, agents for improving the feel, fats, oils, soaps, resins, dyestufis, fungicides, medicinal substances, phosphorescent substances, and substances which can react chemically with the spinning substance in the solution or during the. precipitation. I In particular, those additions which are used to modify the properties of the filaments and have hitherto, involved unavoidable disadvantages when applied to homogeneous fibers can be restricted to that zone of the filament where they are desired. For example, pigmentsand delustrants which are introduced'into the spinning-mass for the purpose of roughene ing the surface of the filament, or of coloring or,

dulling the filament, cause a sensible decrease in the strength. By the new process, such substances, which can fulfil their purpose when disposed only at the surface of the filament, need be introduced only into the spinning materialor solution for forming the outer envelope of Figure 8a, while the core remains undiluted by such additions and, therefore, maintains its normal strength. a

When the process is carriedout with two spinning solutions which contain different spinning substances in solution, the two spinning sub stances can be chemically related, as, for example, two difierent cellulose esters, or a cellulose ester and a cellulose ether, or two different albuminous substances. Two spinning substances may, however, be used which belong to quite difierent classes of bodies, such as cellulose and an albuminous substance, or a cellulose ester or ether and an artificial resin or rubber produced by polymerization. The only limitation is that the two spinning materials do not mutually coagulate each other and are coagulatable by a common coagulating medium. According to whether one forms the core or intermediate portion and another kind the sheath or lateral portions of the filaments, or vice versa, filaments of different properties can be obtained from the same substances. By using two spinning materials which shrink to a different extent during precipitation, drying or after-treatment, there may be obtained, for example, strongly crimped threads. Also, one or both spinning materials or solutions may consist of or comprisemixtures of two or more filament-forming substances insofar as this is permitted by'the compatibility of the particular substances.

Various eifects may be obtained by enclosing a pigmented or dyed core by an uncolored sheath, or one which is, colored but not so deeply as to prevent the core from exerting an influence on the appearance of the filament. By sandwiching a colorless or lightly colored component be tween lateral components intensely dyed or heavily pigmented to form structures having cross-sections similar to Figures 8b and 8c, or by reversing the disposition of the lightly and densely colored components respectively, novel and interesting effects are obtained, and such efiects are accentuated when the two components are made of materials having different shrinkages, and are subsequently differentially shrunk to effect crimping thereof.

Further modifications may be obtained by changing the partition l2 from a simple transverse rib to a partition l2a of Y-shape (Figure 2a) and providing another pipe connection similar to 6 and I for supplying a third spinning material or solution to the third chamber Y thus provided, In that case, the central one of the spaces between the several partitions I l is connected to the third chamber Y receiving the third spinning material or solution b a suitable passage lly similar to the central passage l1 shown in Figure 2. In such an arrangemenhthe filaments would be composed of three filament-forming materials arranged similarly to the layers of Figures 8a, 8b and 80, but with one of the laterally disposed materials of different composition than the other lateral member. This arrangement is illustrated in Figures 9a., 9b, 9c. This arrangement may be of particular advantage to form crimped filaments by associating a plurality of filament-forming materials at least two of which posed to the regions between partitions l I are all occupied by orifices 16, each strip being provided with a single row thereof. One set of alternate regions in this embodiment is supplied with a fil- I6a can-be made of a single material but those from the central "r0w16a will be of a difierent material than those {from the outer rows Ilia, and the rows 16 will produce filamentsofthe type shown in'fla, 9b,- or 9c. 'The orifices may beregularly'or irregularly disposed in that set of the alternate strips opposed to the'flregions supplied Withthe relatively greater amount of spinning material, and some of "such orifices may extend partially orcompletely into the adjoining regions. The orifices in the several regions may be of varioussizes to produce simultaneously different denier filaments from a single material and/or different denier filaments of composite character.

Further modifications can be obtained by utilizing a three-material distributor, such as that of Figure 2a with an orifice pattern such as that illustratively shownin Figure 3b, As shown, there are "three rOWs of orifices Ilia and two intervening rows of orifices I6 opposed to the regions between the partitions H as in Figure 3a. But in addition, there are two rowsof orifices 16b approximately'in alignment with the edges of the partitions. These rows of orifices "16?) may be ofiset somewhat from the alignment shown without changing the results. 'The chamber'Y of Figure 2a supplies filament-forming material tothe central region between partitions -ll opposed to the central row of orifices 16a; chamber A, a second material, to adjacent regions opposed'to orifice l6; and chamber B, a third material to the outer regions opposed to outer rowsof orifices 16m The proportions of the three materials relative tothe total orifice area opposed tothe regionssupplied with the material can be readily controlled to produce various combinations of filaments. For example, the outer rows'of orifices lBa will issue filaments formed solely of the third materialand the orifices I6 will issue filaments formed solely of the second material, while orifices I 612 will issue dual-component filaments composed-of the second and third material .joined side by side the entire length thereof and the central orifices Ilia will issue triple-component filaments (asin Figure 8a, 82) or .80) formed of the first increasing the supplies andsecond materials. By of the first and third materialsrelative tothe second, however, the system can be made to produce the following mixture of filaments: filamentssolely of first material from inside row of .orifices lBa, filaments solely of third material from outside rows of orifices lGaand also from orifices I61) while triplecomponent filaments formed of all three materials '(as in Figure9a, i9b or 90) will issue from orifices l6. ream thus be seen that numerous mixtures and combinationsof filaments can be obtained directly froma single spinneret Without -difiiculty. Further variations can be made by changingthe groups of regions between partitions 1 l suppl'ied by the several materials. Figures 4 to 7 show a modification 0f the exthe'walls of thespinneret 2 truslo'n device in which the harnessing means within the space "back of thespinn'eret race is arranged to co-operate-With a spinneret having concentric groups of orifices, such as circular rows fOfOllfiOBS. In this -arrangementytlie space immediately back of the spinneret facej-is divided by a, plurality of concentric partitions 2! (four being shown, though any number m-ay be used) into chambers A and B, A leca'ting piri 21 extends from a bore in one of the wans'zc extending back of the plate ammougn a slot-in sle ve 23 to'a slot 29lin the'supply heads. This locating pin 21 is arra'ngedso-that the passag'es-ll and 9 are each associated with-onlyone orthe compartments A and'B respectively on either side of the rib 26. The passages 30 join compartment B with alternate regions or chambers between theconcentric partitions "25, while passages -3| connect the compartment -A-with the other annular regions-or chambers (including the central region) between partitions 25. Passages '32 connect the corresponding regions and chambers in frontof and in back of -plate '22. Theorifi'ces of thespinneret are arranged to-face alternate annular regions or chambers between 1 the annular partitions 2l,-namely Cl and Cs,-thus leaving blank the portions of the spinneretface opposite the intervening chambers C,'C2 and 04 between partitions 2 l.

. The operation of the device ortelg ures 4 to 7 is analogous to that ofFi'gu'res 1 to 3, the spin- 11mg .mat.erials or solutionsiiiiinediately behind the spinneret face beingarraiiged as concentric strata instead of the parallel linearfstrata of Figures 1 to 3. As in Figure 2d, the pertinence may sifnilarly be made ofY shap andan additional spinning material feedpipesimilar to .6 and '1 may. be piovidedand connected withlt'he third compartment thus provided by the 'Y-shape of partition 26. In such event, the .thirdcompartment may be connected with, a separate region or. chamber between the partitions 25.by. passages similar to 30 and 3!, so that thespinning materials will alternate in sequence to provide filaments similar to those of Figure 9. Thusthe third spinning material lnaybedirecte d into the chamber C2, leavingthe other two. materials to follow the same channels as shown inthe drawing. Also, additional orifices may be supplied to the blank strips of the spinneret shown in the drawing, to form combinations analogous to those illustrated in Figures Ba', and-"3b.

The following examples are illustrative of the invention:

Example I from wood pulpusing 30% carbon disulfide based on the air dry weight of the pulp and contained T cellulose and 6 sodium hydroxide. This viscose was aged for 100 hours and had a common salt point of 1.9. The other type of viscose solution was made from cotton pulp using 44% carbon disulfide based on the air dry weight of the pulp and contained 7 /g% cellulose and 8% sodium hydroxide. To this viscose was added 6% finely ground titanium dioxide based on the weight of cellulose present. This viscose was aged for 48 hours and ,had a common salt point of 5.5. The young viscose containing titanium dioxide was allowed to pass through the apparatus, so as to enter the blank spaces of the spinneret face C, C2 and C4. The other viscose entered the alternate spaces facing the spinneret orifices C1 and Ca. Owing to the more rapid setting up or shrinkage rate of the older viscose the titanium dioxide containing viscose almost completely surrounded the other viscose to give a cross-section approaching closely that shown in Figure 8a. The resulting filaments which were of denier had a dull delustered appearance owing to the presence of the titanium dioxide on the outside sheath of the filament.

Example 11 Two different types of viscose solution were prepared and spun exactly the same as in Example I, with the exception that the titanium dioxide was added to the older viscose made from wood pulp instead of being added to the younger viscose. The cross-section which was of the type shown in Figure 8a contained the titanium dioxide viscose surrounded by the other viscose, which imparted to the filaments a glossy delustered appearance owing to the presence of the delustrant in the core of the filament.

Example III Two different types of viscose solution were prepared and spun exactly as in Example I, with the exception that the young titanium dioxide containing viscose was allowed to pass through the apparatus so as to enter the spaces C1 and C3 facing spinneret orifices, and the old viscose to enter the face blank spaces C, C2 and C4. The resulting cross-section was of the type illustrated in Figure 80 with the titanium dioxide containing viscose only partially surrounding the other viscose.

It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

We claim: I v

1. A filament extrusion device comprising a spinneret having a row comprising at least two orifices, partition means for dividing the space back of the spinneret face into at least three substantially separate regions arranged side by side, one of said regions being disposed opposite the row of orifices and communicating with the two adjacent regions just behind the spinneret face along spaced planes in the vicinity of, but laterally offset on opposite sides from, the row of orifices, and conduit means having channel systems associated with each of the separate regions for introducing filament-forming material of at least two different kinds so that the materials supplied to immediately adjacent regions are difierent from each other and each material flows separately into at least one of said regions.

2. A filament extrusion device. comprising a spinneret having a row comprising at least two orifices, partition means-fordividing thespace back of the spinneret face into at least three substantially separate regions arranged side by side, one of said regions being disposed opposite the row of orifices and communicating with the two adjacent regions just behind the spinneret face along spaced planes in the vicinity of, but laterally ofiset on opposite sides from, the row of orifices, at least one other orifice disposed outside of said row in a strip of the spinneret face laterally offset therefrom, and conduit meanshaving channel systems associated with each of the separate regions for introducing filament-forming material of at least two different kinds, so that the materials supplied toimmediately adjacent regions are different fromeach other and each material flows separately into at least one of said regions, whereby said row of orifices may receive material simultaneously'from three adjacent regions and said other orifice may receive material only from a single one of the regions.

3. A filament extrusion device comprising a spinneret having a row comprising at least two orifices, partition means for. dividing the. space back of the spinneret face into at least threesubstantially separate regions arranged side byside, one of said regions being disposed opposite the row of orifices and communicating with the two adjacent regions just behind the spinneret face along spaced planes in the vicinity of and parallel to, but laterally ofiset on opposite sides from, the row of orifices, at least one other orifice disposed outside of said row in a strip of the spinneret face adjacent said row, but laterally ofiset therefrom, and conduit means having channel systems associated with each of the separate regions for introducing filament-forming material of at least two different kinds so that the materials supplied to immediately adjacent regions are difierent from each other and each materialfiows separately into at least one of said regions, whereby said row of orifices may receive material simultaneously from there adjacent regions and said other orifice may receive material only from a single one of the regions.

4. A filament extrusion device comprising a spinneret having a'row comprising at least two orifices, partition means for dividing thespace back of the spinneret face into at least three substantially separate regions arranged side by side, one of said regions being disposed opposite the row of orifices and communicating with the two adjacent regions just behind the spinneret face along spaced planes in the vicinity of, but laterally offset on opposite sides from, the row of orifices, at least one other orifice disposed outside of said row in a strip of the spinneret face laterally offset therefrom and disposed opposite one of the regions immediately adjacent that region opposite said row, and conduit means having channel systems associated with each of the separate regions for introducing filament-forming material of at least two different kinds so that the materials supplied to immediately adjacent regionsare' difi'erent'from each other and each material flows separately into at least oneof said regions, whereby said row of orifices may receive material simultaneously from three adjacent-re- "9 onewof ,saidaregions beingzdispu edaoppositer the r w ot orificeaandcflmlmmicating; with-1 thettwo adjacent: regions; just behind the spinneret -face along-spaced;- planes: im the vicinity; of; butlate e ally ofiset onaopposite sides from, .the rowlof: orifices; at least: one other: orifice, disposedoutside of therowin :proximity toithe planeot communication betweenr twoadjacent-regionsother than that opposedtoethe. row t orifices and, conduit means. having channel systems) associated; with each. of, theseparate-regions; for. introducingfilament-rorming material. or atileastthreepdifierent kinds so that the materialstsupplied tot immedi ately adjacent regionseare difierenti from each other and eachlmaterial, flowsseparatelyinto at least oneotsaid, regions,= whereby said vrow of orifices. may receive materiallsimult'aneously from t r e djac t regions andsaidother'orificema receive materiallonly. i'romitwo adjacentlregions.

6. A filament extrusion device. comprising. a spinneret, having, a row comprising at, least two orifices, partitions means. forpdividing tm space ack, of. .the, spinneretiace into, atle'astl four substantially,separatewregions arrangedisideby side, one of said} regions being, disposed; oppbsite' the row of orifices and communicating with thet'wo adjacent regions just behind, the. spinneret race along spaced plane's imthelvic'iriity of, buti.laterallyofiset on opposite sides frcm,,the rowlofbri; fices, lat-leastone; other orifice; disposed, outside of; said, row in astripmof the spinneret facet laterally offset therefrom, at least, onehother, orifice disposed outside". of the" row ingproximity, tothe plane of communication; between, two. adjacent regions other thanthat opposedito the row offol ficesand conduitflmeans having gchannel'jsystems associated with each of the separate regionsfor introducing filamentsforming materialoffat least three different kinds" so that the materials sup: plied. to immediately.v adjacent regions are" difie'rent fromeachother; and each material flows separately'into at least one of said regions, whereby said row of orifices may receive material simultaneously from three adjacent regions, said firstmentioned other orifice may receive material from a single one of the regions, and the lastmentioned other orifice may receive material from two adjacent regions.

'7. A filament extrusion device comprising a spinneret having a plurality of rows of orifices, partitions for dividing the space back of the spinneret face into at least three substantially separate regions arranged side by side, each region being disposed opposite at least one of said rows of orifices and communicating with each adjacent region just behind the spinneret face along spaced planes projecting from the edge of the partitions of the spinneret face, and conduit means having channel systems associated with each of the separate regions for introducing filament-forming material of at least two different kinds so that the materials supplied to immediately adjacentregions are difierent from each other and each material flows separately into at least one of said regions.

8. A filament extrusion device comprising a spinneret having a plurality of rows of orifices, partitions for dividing the space back of the spinneret face into at least three substantially separate regions arranged side by side, each region being disposed opposite at least one of said rows of orifices and communicating with each adjacent region just behind the spinneret face along spaced planes projecting from the edge of the partitions to the spinneret face, and con- 15 duit. means: having channel. systems associated with eachrot ther separatea-regionsforintroducing filament fcrming'materiaals 015 at least two 'dififers ent; kindsrsmthat thematerials supplied to immediately adjacent regions-are difierentfrom each otherr andaeach material: flows separately into at least one ofrsaid regions-,- and means for predeterminately controlling: therrelative ratesof flow of said diiferent materials-so, that at least one of said rows of orifices receivesmaterial simultaneously 1 from three-adjacent regions and at "least; one-other on said? rows receives material from i l a iregions l otherthan: that x opposite those orifices receiving; material simultaneously "from threeadjacent-regions '9; A: filamentzextrusionwdevicer comprising a spinneret: having a plurality of rows of orifices, partitions for:dividingthe spacebaclc ofthe spinneret-'faceinto at: leastfour substantially separate regions arrangedrsidei by sidey-each region being disposed: oppositerlat: least one oficsaidarowsof orifices and communicatingzwitn each adjacent regionjust;behind1thespinneret face-along spaced planes, projecting fromflth'e; edge of l thepartitions tm-therspinneret; face; at least; one other "of said rows of: orificeszbeings disposed adjacent the plane of communicatiombetween two: adj alcent regions, andsconduitmeanszhaving achanner systems associated: with each: of I the separate regions for rintroducing filamenti forming:material; of at least three different kinds: so: that: thematerialsf suppliedi'tolimmediat'ely adjacent regionsaaredifierent from each other and' each: material fi'ows separately-into at least one of saidi regions;

10'; A: filament; "extrusion device: comprising" a spinneret" havingat plurality of rows of orifices, partitions for dividingthe space back of the spinneret 1 face -intm at? least" four A substantially separatereg-ions:"arranged 'slde by side,v each regibn beingdisposed opposite atleast one o'fs'a'id rowsof orifices ancl=communicatingwitli-each adj aeent region just bliin'd the spihneretfacealong spaced plane's-=proj ectm' fr ftlie edge of? the partitions to the spinneret fac, at least one' other of said rows of orifices being disposed adjacent the plane of communication between two adjacent regions, and conduit means having channel systems associated with each of the separate regions for introducing filament-forming material of at least three difierent kinds so that the materials supplied to immediately adjacent regions are different from each other and each material flows separately into at least one of said regions, and means for predeterminately controlling the relative rates of flow of said difierent materials so that at least one of said rows of orifices receives material simultaneously from three adjacent regions and at least one other of said first-mentioned rows receives material from a region other than that opposite those orifices receiving material simultaneously from three adjacent regions, and so that said other row of orifices disposed adjacent the plane of communication of two adjacent regions receives material from the respective adjacent regions.

11. A filament extrusion device comprising a spinneret having a row comprising at least two orifices and a blank strip disposed on each side of the row, partition means for dividing the space :back of the spinneret face into at least three substantially separate regions arranged side by side, one of said regions being disposed opposite the row of orifices and communicating with the two adjacent regions just behind the spinneret grace along spaced planes in the vicinity of, but

laterally ofiset on opposite sides from, the row of orifices, said two adjacent regions being disposed opposite said blank strips, and conduit means having channel's'ystems associated with each of the separate regions for introducing filamentforming material of at least two different kinds so that the materials supplied to immediately adjacent regions are different from each other and each material flows separately into at least one of said regions.

12'. A filament extrusion device comprising a spinneret having a'plurality of groups of orifices separated by intervening blank strips of the spinneret face, partition means for diving the space back of the spinneret face into a plurality of substantially separate regions arranged side by side, each two adjacent regions communicating with each other just behind the-spinneret face along a plurality of pairs of spaced planes, the planes of each pair being disposed in the vicinity of, but laterally ofiset on opposite sides from, one of the groups of the orifices, alternate ones of the regions being disposed generally opposite the groups of orifices and the intervening regions being disposed opposite the blank portions of the spinneret face, and conduit means having separate channel systems associated with each of the separate regions for introducing filament-forming material of at least two different kinds so that each of such materials flows separately into regularly spaced ones of the regions.

' 13. A filament extrusion device comprising a spinneret having a plurality of rows of orifices separated by intervening blank strips of the spinneret face, a plurality of partitions generally parallel to the rows dividing the space back of the spinneret into regions, alternate ones of such regions being in approximate alignment with the orifices and intervening regions, facing the blank strips of the spinneret, and a plurality of conduit means each having a separate channel system associated with a separate group of regularly spaced regions for introducing filamentforming material thereto,

14. A filamentextrusion device comprising a spinneret having a plurality of rows of orifices separated by intervening blank strips of the spinneret face, a plurality of partitions generally parallel to therows dividing the space back of the spinneret into regions, alternate ones of such regions being in approximate alignment I with the orifices and intervening regions with faced with theblankstrips of the spinneret, and two conduit means each having a separate "channel system associated with a separate group of regularly spaced regions for introducing filamentforming material thereto. t j a 15. A filament extrusion device comprising a spinneret having a plurality of annular groups of orifices separated by intervening blank strips of the spinneret face, a plurality of annular partition-s dividing the space back of thespinneret into concentric regions, alternate ones of such regions being in approximate alignment with the orifices and intervening regions facing the blank strips of the spinneret, and a plurality of conduit means each having a separate channel system associated with a separate group of regularly spaced regions for introducing ,filament-forming material thereto. a V

16. A filament "extrusion device comprising a spinneret having a plurality of annular groups of orifices separated by intervening annular blank strips of the spinneret face, a-plurality of annular partitions dividing thespace back of the spinneret into concentric regions, alternate ones of such regions being in approximate alignment with the orifices and intervening regions facing the blank strips of the spinneret, and two conduit means each having a separate channel system associated with a separate group of regularly spaced regions for introducing filament-forming material thereto,

WAYNE A. SISSON. WESLEY L, WEBB, 

